§ 3.28 p.m.
§ Lord Wallace of Coslany asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ What steps are being taken to ensure that toilets at football grounds comply with standards of public health and decency.
Viscount AstorMy Lords, local environmental health authorities have powers to ensure that adequate provision of sanitary facilities is made at places where sporting events are held. It is for them to judge what is appropriate in the light of local circumstances.
Lord Wallace of CoslanyMy Lords, is the noble Viscount aware that conditions for visiting supporters at Chelsea football ground are very bad indeed? Similar conditions apply at the grounds of Wimbledon and Queen's Park Rangers. That apart, does he not agree that with the high prices charged for admission and for programmes it is time that toilets in football grounds were of decent modern standard for those who visit them?
Viscount AstorMy Lords, I must agree with the noble Lord. Football clubs can apply for grants for such purposes. The Football Trust, chaired by my noble friend Lord Aberdare, makes available grants for up to 70 per cent. of the approved expenditure on the installation of new toilet facilities at football grounds, to a maximum of £50,000.
§ Lord GainfordMy Lords, as a Queen's Park Rangers supporter, perhaps I may say that although the toilet facilities at the ground are not exactly luxurious they are not in the decadent state suggested by the Minister.
Lord Wallace of CoslanyMy Lords, in view of what the noble Lord just said, can he tell us whether he uses the executive boxes?
Viscount AstorMy Lords, perhaps I should intervene at this point and say that facilities vary throughout the country.
§ Lord Dean of BeswickMy Lords, is the Minister aware that the last Budget made available funds for football in general? Is he also aware that increasing sums of money are being found by the Football Trust for the improvement of football grounds? Will the Minister urge the new sports Minister to stress to the football grounds that they should give priority to providing modern toilets of an acceptable standard, bearing in mind that even at some First Division grounds the toilets are an absolute disgrace?
Viscount AstorMy Lords, I will certainly make sure that my honourable friend the Minister for Sport is aware of what the noble Lord said. Members of the public can complain to environmental health authorities if they feel that facilities are not up to standard. Local authorities have power to serve a notice on the owners or occupiers of any place occasionally or normally used for sport to upgrade facilities.
§ Lord Hailsham of Saint MaryleboneMy Lords, having regard to the vast sums of money—amounting to millions—that are spent by the clubs on the purchase of a single player, can they not provide decent toilets as well?
Viscount AstorMy Lords, I am sure that my noble and learned friend has a point. As I said, a large amount of money—over £100 million—will be available from the Football Trust over the next five years for the improvement of football grounds.
§ Lord Dean of BeswickMy Lords, is the Minister aware that some clubs have received substantial sums of money from the Football Trust for ground improvements but have not spent one penny of that money on improving their toilets? Surely that is wrong.
Viscount AstorMy Lords, it is for the football clubs to decide how they spend their money. As I said previously, if members of the public are not satisfied with facilities they can complain to the local environmental health authority.
Lord Wallace of CoslanyMy Lords, is the Minister aware that I am referring not only to male toilets but also to female toilets? I cannot visit them but I have had good information that they need attention.